Page 39 of Their Witch Bride

Thinking of all those years we lost together hurts, even today.

“What’s your point?” I say more harshly than I intended.

Arlys studies me for a moment, then continues. “You might hate it, but you’ve always been sensitive. You’ve always felt things too deeply. That’s a wonderful thing when it comes to things like love and loyalty, but it’s not such a great thing when it comes to things like hatred, fear, and sadness. If you’re not careful, those powerful emotions are going to consume you when it comes to Princess Tara, and you’re going to screw up… and we can’t screw this thing up.”

His green eyes never leave my face. With anyone else, I might argue, but Arlys isn’t cruel or judgmental. When he says something, he says it because his heart’s told him it’s important. He’s giving me this warning because he’s worried for me.

I turn back to see Rinan and the princess beaming at each other.

My heart twists, but I know the truth. This woman should be handled like the she-demon she is. I’m not treating her that way because I’m still angry over my brothers’ deaths… I simply hate her, her kind, and everything she represents. And, one day, I’ll be the one dancing on the graves of her family members, starting with her bitch mom.

Not that I can say all of that to Arlys. He’d just worry more.

Releasing a slow breath, I try to keep my voice calm. “I’ll try to control my anger, but only for you. I don’t owe this witch anything.”

And I will. I can be calm when destroying her.

He squeezes my shoulder. “Thank you, Drogo. Brother.”

Brother. My chest aches. I may have lost my blood brothers, but I’ll never lose Arlys and Rinan. No matter what I have to do.

No matter what it costs me.

FOURTEEN

Tara

I’m in the carriage, wide awake, my eyes glued to the vastly different landscape outside the window. The witch lands with their caves, towering mountains, and rocky terrain woven amidst the trees are far behind our caravan. Here, there are rolling hills, huge trees, and a lush landscape.

This place is really beautiful.

If I wasn’t deep in the Shifter Kingdom with a bunch of shifters who don’t like me I’d be thrilled about being in such a beautiful place. Unfortunately, I can’t forget about my marriage or the shifters, no matter how much I might want to.

Houses dot the landscape, scattered at first, but the further we travel, the denser they become. An adorable little boy waves at me. I smile and wave back enthusiastically. To my delight, he shifts into a wolf pup. I lean out the window and watch as he runs alongside my carriage.

Then Prince Drogo is beside the boy, racing him on his horse. They’re both laughing, and I’m shocked by how handsome Prince Drogo is as he laughs, and the rich sound of his voice. It’s like I’m getting to see another side of him. And I like it.

Does the big, mean shifter have a heart?

Prince Drogo races ahead, and my focus goes back to the pup. He looks so happy. So free.

Did I think wolves were scary? No way! They’re absolutely darling!

“Hi there!” I yell out the window, laughter bubbling up. “You’re a cutie pie!”

He howls in response and keeps up with the carriage, and I laugh more. I never would have imagined this. Maybe life here won’t be so bad. The wolf pup starts to fall back. I turn to look forward and see all three of the princes atop their horses gaping at me. I wave at them and smile, hoping for some kind of interaction. Instead, they all turn around and focus on the road ahead.

Which is oh so typical.

They’ve kept their distance from me this whole time. I wish I knew why, and I wonder if this will be my life from now. Before this, I rarely imagined what being married would be like, but when I did, I always imagined being loved, or at the least being liked. Wrong again, I guess. I have three husbands right now, and not one of them seems to be able to do more than tolerate me.

I think back to the tent. I knew the instant he pointed to the unmade tent that this was their way of putting me in my place. Unfortunately for them, a little work isn’t all that hard compared to what I’m used to. I honestly prefer their taunting and glares to the cold cruelty of the other witches. With them, it was constant. I always felt like I was drowning under a sea of jabs, dirty looks, and isolation. What these shifters are doing? It’s nothing.

Still, it’s a little sad that this is how things will be between my husbands and I. Just thinking of the moment Prince Rinan said that the tent took two people to set up makes my heart sad. I understand them not wanting to help their enemy, but giving me an impossible task feels cruel.

I hope my husbands don’t have cruel hearts.

Maybe things will change when we reach the castle? The hopeful thought swirls in my mind. Traveling is tough on anyone. It’s certainly not the best situation to learn about someone new, especially not a bride. Besides, I know they were stressed when they were in witch territory.

---